“In certain situations, manifesting anger is the right attitude; in others it is not the right thing to manifest because it will only add to the violence. In the first case, anger unblocks the conflict and causes another to become more conscious. In the latter, it only adds to the unconsciousness and inflames the conflict. (73)”
― Jean-Yves Leloup
I came across this quote earlier this week and thought it appropriate for the recurring theme that appears in this week’s edition of Berea Mail. Our front page article on the petrol bombing of two vehicles allegedly by striking motor industry workers, the vicious assault by striking petrol service station attendants on a colleague and the tragic death of a young schoolgirl during clashes between police and protesting Cato Crest shackdwellers. All three incidents bear testimony to the manifestation of anger which in turn led to aggression and violence.
While I understand and can sympathise with the frustration felt by workers on minimum wages, and fully support the homeless in fighting for their basic human right for a place to call home, I have never understood or condoned the willful destruction of property, the overturning of litter bins, the burning of tyres or the violence, looting and intimidation that seems to go hand in hand with strikes and protests. There is always some innocent who ends up paying the price for whipped up, frenzied mob emotions. The tragedy of Marikane is probably the most recent example of protests which exploded into violent conflict with disastrous consequences.
I sometimes have to wonder whether the angry mob is not a convenient tool to be used by organisation and union leaders to force opponents around the negotiating table into submission. It is as good as holding a loaded weapon to the head of reluctant officials and company bosses who are handicapped it seems by political will and party policies, and, in the case of corporates, profits and share of market.
Any person who deals in conflict resolution will agree that when faced with anger one needs to allow the angry to vent, to grab the attention of those believed to be the cause of the anger, to be heard and most of all, to be understood. Communication between the two conflicting parties is paramount and agreement needs to be reached on the problems that exist and a way forward to the resolution of the problem must be agreed upon. But, most of all, action must be seen to be taken. There must be some acknowledgement and there must be some result, no matter how small, but at least movement in the right direction. If not, anger simply continues to simmer till it reaches explosive proportions. And when anger explodes, innocent people get hurt.
